Multi-purpose framing product

ABSTRACT

A furring apparatus includes first and second mating components that, when positioned together, define a structural ring with a through-hole shaped and adapted to surround a selected building component. The first and second mating components define an outer surface adapted to engage and support wall board around the selected building component. The first and second mating components include mating connectors that telescopingly engage in a direction parallel the column. Opposing wedge-shaped members slidingly engage angled surfaces on the structural ring and are movable to reduce an effective size of the through hole of the structural ring, such that the furring apparatus is useable on differently sized columns.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of provisional application Serial No. 60/659,321, filed Mar. 7, 2005, entitled MULTI-PURPOSE FRAMING PRODUCT.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a framing product adapted to fit around a “lolly” column, I-beam, jack screw, or other structural beam or column product used in building constructions, where the product must be finished.

Various attempts have been made to simplify and standardize the task of finishing a “lolly” column, I-beam, jack screw, or other structural beam or column product used in building constructions. However, based on a review of the industry, further improvements are possible in terms of simplicity of parts, ease of installation, structural integrity, flexibility of use, low cost of components, and functionality of design.

Thus, a system having the aforementioned advantages and solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a furring apparatus is provided that is useful to support wall board around an elongated building component such as a beam or column. The furring apparatus includes first and second mating components that, when positioned together, define a structural ring with a through-hole shaped and adapted to surround a selected building component. The first and second mating components further define an outer surface adapted to engage and support wall board around the selected building component. The first and second mating components include abutting surfaces, with one of the abutting surfaces including a groove and the other of the abutting surfaces including a tongue shaped to fit into the groove and retain the first and second mating components together.

In another aspect of the present invention, a furring apparatus includes first and second C-shaped mating components each including ends with mating connectors, the first and second C-shaped components being positionable to define a structural ring with a through hole defining a direction through the structural ring; the ends including connectors constructed to engage parallel the direction defined by the through hole in the structural ring.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a furring apparatus includes a structural ring made of mating components, the components including an inner wall defining a through hole shaped and adapted to receive a structural column. The furring apparatus further includes a wedging member shaped to move along the inner wall to reduce an effective size of the through hole, such that the furring apparatus is useable on differently sized columns.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a building column and furring apparatus; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the furring apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A furring apparatus 20 (FIGS. 1-2) includes first and second mating components 21 and 22 that, when positioned together, define a structural ring with a longitudinally-open aperture 23 shaped and adapted to surround a selected building component 24, such as a building column, beam, “lolly” column or similar structural beam. The first and second mating components 21 and 22 are identical and are molded plastic components. They include an outer wall 26 that defines outer flat surfaces 27 forming a square shape. (It is contemplated that other geometric shapes could also be formed, such as rectangular, triangular, etc, both hollow and/or solid.) The outer wall 26 is adapted to engage and support wall board 28 around the selected building component 24. The first and second mating components 21 and 22 include ends with mating connectors 29 and 30 in the form of a T-shaped protrusion and a T-shaped recess for telescoping engagement in a direction parallel the building component 24. The components 21 and 22 also include an inner wall 31 and reinforcing webs 32 and 33 extending between the walls 26 and 31. The reinforcing webs 32 and 33 also assist in molding the components 21 and 22 by keeping the maximum wall thickness at desired levels for optimal molding. The inner wall 31 includes angled recessed portions 34 that extend parallel a length of the aperture 23 and define steps 34′ along their lengths. Opposing wedge-shaped members 35 slidingly incrementally engage angled surfaces (i.e., the steps 34′) of the recessed portions 34. As the wedge-shaped members 35 are ratchetingly moved downwardly in the recessed portions 34, an inboard wall of the wedge-shaped members 35 effectively reduces a size of the vertically-open aperture 23. By this arrangement, the structural ring formed by the components 21 and 22 is able to stably engage different sized components 24.

The components 21 and 22 can be positioned around a building component 24, one slightly above the other. After aligning the connectors 29 and 30, the components 21 and 22 can be engaged without the use of separate tools by telescopingly sliding the “T” connectors 29 into the T-shaped groove connectors 30. The wedges 35 are then positioned and moved with a ratcheting movement downwardly until they engage the component 24 and hold the structural ring in place. It is contemplated that as many of the structural rings can be placed on the column 24 in vertically spaced positions as needed. The connection can be made secure by friction between the components themselves, including friction created by the wedges 35 or by the tongue and groove connectors 29 and 30 themselves. Alternatively, it is contemplated that glue, nails, or other means can be used. Wall board 28 is then positioned against and attached to the flat outer surfaces 27 and nailed, screwed, glued or otherwise secured in place ... including finishing corners and painting as desired.

It is contemplated that the product can include a relief or “knock-out” for routing wiring, plumbing, etc. through the product during framing.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 

1. A furring apparatus useful to support wall board around an elongated building component such as a beam or column, comprising: first and second mating components that, when positioned together, define a structural ring with a through-hole shaped and adapted to surround a selected building component; the first and second mating components further defining an outer surface adapted to engage and support wall board around the selected building component; the first and second mating components including abutting surfaces, with one of the abutting surfaces including a groove and the other of the abutting surfaces including a tongue shaped to fit into the groove and retain the first and second mating components together.
 2. The furring apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the tongue and groove are integrally formed from material of the first and second mating components.
 3. The furring apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the tongue is T-shaped, and the groove is matingly shaped to interlockingly receive the T-shaped tongue.
 4. The furring apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the tongue and groove are configured to engage in a longitudinal direction parallel the vertically-open aperture.
 5. The furring apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein the first and second mating components include an inner wall with an angled portion, and including at least one wedge-shaped member movable along the longitudinal direction while in engagement with angled portion of the inner wall, such that an effective size of the through-hole is reduced as the wedge-shaped member is moved.
 6. The furring apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second mating components includes an inner wall, and including at least one column-engaging member adapted to move along an inner wall to reduce an effective size of the vertically-open aperture, such that the first and second mating components are adapted to surround and stably engage differently sized building components.
 7. A furring apparatus comprising: first and second C-shaped mating components each including ends with mating connectors, the first and second C-shaped components being positionable to define a structural ring with a through hole defining a direction through the structural ring; the ends including connectors constructed to engage parallel the direction defined by the through hole in the structural ring.
 8. A furring apparatus comprising: a structural ring made of mating components, the components including an inner wall defining a through hole shaped and adapted to receive a structural column; and a wedging member shaped to move along the inner wall to reduce an effective size of the through hole, such that the furring apparatus is useable on differently sized columns.
 9. The furring apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein the inner wall defines at least one non-symmetrical portion, and wherein the wedging member slidingly engages the non-symmetrical portion in a manner causing the wedging member to move toward or away from a center of the through hole.
 10. The furring apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein the inner wall defines at least one angled portion, and wherein the wedging member is movable to different locations along the angled portion in a manner changing an effective size of the through hole, thus adapting the furring apparatus to be stably positioned around the different sized columns.
 11. A building structure comprising: a building column, and the furring apparatus defined in claim 8 positioned around the building column and with the wedging member engaging the building column and stabilizing the structural ring relative to the building column.
 12. The building structure defined in claim 11, including at least two of the wedging members positioned in opposite positions on the structural ring. 